IN BLOOM

CHAPTER EIGHT

The family table

Leah's POV

I received a phone call early in the morning, just as I was rinsing coffee grounds from the filter and when I checked it was my mother calling.

My mother’s voice carried the kind of sharp energy that always meant something serious. “Leah, Daniel's grandfather just informed me that the both families are going to meeting tomorrow at the Carter estate.Be ready. And please, don’t be late. This is important.”

She didn’t wait for me to argue or even agree, just hung up like she always did when her mind was set.

The next day-

I’d woken up, stared at the ceiling, and told myself I could handle whatever came. Daniel’s family couldn’t be worse than a bridegroom who never showed up. They were only people, and I had met people before.

I stood in front of my closet for longer than I’d like to admit. My fingers drifted over dresses and blouses, pausing, rejecting, choosing, discarding again. Too plain. Too flashy. Too floral, would they mock me for leaning into my profession? Too simple-would they think I wasn’t trying?

Finally, I settled on a deep emerald dress, elegant but not ostentatious, the kind of thing that whispered confidence without shouting for attention. I paired it with subtle jewelry, polished my nails, and gathered my hair into a low, tidy bun and

I’d said to myself- I was ready.

But standing at the foot of the towering stone steps of the Carter estate with my mom at my side, I wasn’t so sure anymore.

“Don’t slouch,” Mom whispered, her hand pressing briefly against my elbow. “And smile. They’ll love you.”

“That’s what you said the last time,” I murmured.

She gave me the look- the one that meant behave. Then the front door swung open, and there he was.

Daniel.

He wore a crisp white shirt, sleeves pushed up to his elbows like he’d come from something important but wanted to seem casual about it. His tie was undone, his hair slightly mussed. The expression on his face when he saw me, though — it softened, just for a second, like maybe he hadn’t expected me to come.

“Leah,” he said, coming down the last step. “Mom. You made it.”

“Of course,” Mom answered warmly before I could say anything. She was already charmed.

Inside, the house was all wood-paneled warmth and quiet luxury, filled with the faint smell of roasted meat and fresh bread. The kind of place where voices naturally lowered themselves, where you felt like you had to be on your best behavior.

“Daniel,” a woman’s voice called, light and melodic. “You didn’t tell us she was this pretty.”

I turned just in time to see a woman sweep down the staircase. She had Daniel’s dark hair, but softer, longer, with a shine that spoke of time and effort. His sister, I guessed.

“Amelia,” Daniel warned, but too late. She was already at my side, linking her arm through mine as if we’d known each other for years.

“So this is Leah,” she said conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling. “Finally. I've heard alot about you.”

Before I could answer, another voice joined. Older. Stronger.

“Bring her here, Daniel. Don’t keep us waiting.”

That voice belonged to his grandfather. He sat at the head of the long dining table when we entered, cane propped against the side of his chair, his eyes sharp and clear despite the years written across his face.

“Sir,” Mom said politely, dipping her head. “Thank you for having us.”

“Nonsense,” the old man waved her off. “We’ve been waiting far too long to meet the young lady. Come, Leah, sit where I can see you, nevermind come and sit beside me.”

And just like that, I found myself sliding into a seat near him, Daniel settling beside me with his jaw a little tight, Amelia across, and Daniel’s parents further down the table. My mom sat near his mother, already smiling as though they were old friends.

The food arrived in courses- soup, bread, roasted vegetables and meats, but the food was only background noise. The real feast was the conversation.

---

“Leah,” Daniel’s mother began once we’d lifted our spoons. She had an elegance about her, but her smile was warm. “You run the flower shop, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I said, voice steadier than I felt. “Bloom. I started it few months ago.”

“Ah,” Amelia leaned in. “but I've been around the area and I don't think the shop is doing well”

“I—” I faltered.

“Amelia stop that” Daniel said while glaring at her from across the table.

“What I didn't mean it in a bad way all I'm trying to say is that you should be attentive to your woman,” Amelia shot back with a grin. “Here I am trying to help you but your warning me hmm, you better do something about your woman's shop or you will have grandpa to deal with.” she said while turning her head to the other side in an angry manner

Grandfather chuckled. “Flowers, eh? Suits you. Soft, delicate, but if you’re careless you prick your finger. Just like roses.” His gaze sharpened. “Tell me, Leah, did Daniel treat you properly on your last date hmm?”

Heat shot into my face. I nearly dropped my spoon.

“Grandfather,” Daniel said tightly. “That’s hardly—”

“What?” The old man shrugged. “I asked a question. A man should know how to treat a woman. Especially one he intends to marry.” he said while staring at Daniel like je could see through him.

“So, Leah,” Amelia began again, swirling her wine. “Do you know how impossible my brother is to live with? He’s obsessive about order, works late, and forgets birthdays. You’ve signed yourself up for quite the challenge.”

“I didn’t sign anything,” Leah muttered under her breath, then realized too late that she had spoken aloud.

The table erupted into laughter, except for Daniel, who turned his head slowly toward her, one brow arched. Their eyes met for a brief, charged moment - not anger, but a silent warning.

“Yet,” Richard interjected smoothly, raising his glass. “She hasn’t signed anything yet.” He winked, and the laughter grew louder.

Leah’s pulse fluttered uncomfortably.

The meal stretched on, filled with little moments like that-Amelia’s sly remarks, Richard’s not-so-subtle nudges, Gloria’s glowing approval. Every push toward marriage made Leah’s skin prickle, not because the family wasn’t kind, but because they had no idea it was all just a careful arrangement, a performance.

Daniel remained collected, answering questions with practiced ease, but never once did he lean into the teasing, never once did he soften the space between them. His presence beside her was steady but distant, like sitting next to a wall she couldn’t climb.

By dessert, Richard leaned forward, his voice carrying the weight of finality.

“Now,” he said, “I think it’s time we stop dancing around it. The question isn’t whether there will be a wedding. The question is how soon. We’ve waited long enough, haven’t we?”

Leah’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. Her mother practically beamed. Clara’s grin widened, ready for the drama.

And Daniel- Daniel finally turned his gaze fully toward Leah. For the first time that evening, their eyes locked and held.

The room hummed with expectation.

Leah could feel a spark in her but all that cut short when a voice tore her away from daydreaming.

“Tell us,” Amelia broke in, “what kind of wedding do you imagine? Big? Small? Something in a garden, maybe?” Her grin widened. “Leah, you must have dreamed about this before.”

Leah froze. Heat crawled up her neck. Across the table, Daniel shifted, clearly about to deflect, but the grandfather’s amused gaze landed on her.

“Well?” he asked. “Surely you have a vision.”

The air thickened. Leah could feel Daniel beside her, still and waiting, while every face at the table turned toward her with open, expectant smiles.

She swallowed. Say something. Anything.

“I…” Her voice faltered, but she forced a small smile. “I think… I’ve always imagined something simple. Flowers, family, nothing too grand.”

A pause, then approving murmurs rippled around the table.

“Lovely,” the mother said warmly.

“Yes,” the grandfather agreed, his gaze crinkling. “Simple, but soon.”

Daniel’s knuckles brushed hers beneath the table-accidental, maybe, or maybe not. Leah’s pulse jumped. They didn’t look at each other, but for the first time that evening, the silence between them didn’t feel entirely empty.